Chapter 24: I’ll Do It

Chapter 24: My Turn

Song Yuqing hurled the ointment in his hand. If Xiao Jinshi hadn't reacted quickly, he would have ended up like Tan Shu—a one-eyed, useless alpha.

Xiao Jinshi swiftly closed the door. "Sorry, I didn’t know anyone was inside."

Song Yuqing’s aim was truly vicious.

Even as he thought this, an undeniable excitement gleamed in his eyes.

Xiao Jinshi lowered his head, staring at the ointment in his hand. The herbal scent lingered in his nostrils, and the cylindrical tube still held the warmth Song Yuqing had left behind.

Xiao Jinshi’s fingers obsessively stroked the tube of ointment. *Brother, applying the medicine himself.*

Just the thought of Song Yuqing squeezing out the ointment and applying it made Xiao Jinshi’s breath catch. His mind swirled with wild imaginings—if Song Yuqing were injured in more private areas, would he use his own hands to tend to the wounds?

Even the simple act of applying medicine could make the beta’s body tremble slightly.

*Brother.*

Xiao Jinshi obsessively inhaled the scent of the ointment Song Yuqing had thrown at him, his eyes darkening with twisted possessiveness.

Song Yuqing pulled on his shirt, covering his pale shoulders and concealing the marks all over his body. Outside the door, Xiao Jinshi was still apologizing.

Song Yuqing’s long lashes drooped, a hint of irritation in his eyes.

From today’s events, Song Yuqing was almost certain: the plot was inevitable. It couldn’t be prevented; it had to be seen through to the end.

The plot points that Qi Ran had to go through—being locked in the therapy room, being spied on by the voyeur Xiao Jinshi—would all play out one by one.

And there were more plot points like this…

88 quickly reassured Song Yuqing, "It takes a lot of effort to ensure Qi Ran’s complete development."

"But you’re doing very well now."

"By sacrificing myself?" Song Yuqing lifted his eyelids slightly, tilting his head to gaze at the lamp emitting a halo of light. The brightness was overwhelming. When he closed his eyes, he felt a disorienting, surreal sensation.

An unreal, detached sense of confusion.

88 fell silent.

Song Yuqing opened the door. Xiao Jinshi was still waiting outside. The moment he saw Song Yuqing, Xiao Jinshi immediately approached, pretending as if he had never met Song Yuqing before.

"Are you my new roommate?"

Song Yuqing ignored him. Xiao Jinshi followed him like a puppy. "You’re a bit older than me, right? I heard you’re repeating a grade."

Song Yuqing remained distant and aloof. Xiao Jinshi stared at his back, asking hopefully.

"Can I call you brother?"

He loved calling Song Yuqing "brother." It felt as though, by doing so, Song Yuqing could belong to him—a title exclusive to him, one that no one else could take away.

Just as Qi Ran could call Song Yuqing "stepmother," and only Qi Ran could do so.

Just as Qi Zhengqing could call Song Yuqing "wife" or "partner," and only Qi Zhengqing could use those terms.

He, too, wanted a special term of address between him and Song Yuqing—one that belonged solely to the two of them.

Song Yuqing paused, his lashes lowering slightly. He looked calm and gentle.

Xiao Jinshi thought Song Yuqing would probably agree.

But then he heard Song Yuqing’s cold voice. "Don’t go around calling everyone brother. You and I have no relationship."

Calm and unwavering, yet all the more difficult to accept.

Because it showed total indifference, because it was rational—the words were not impulsive and could not be taken back.

The smile vanished from Xiao Jinshi’s face, his eyes flashing with disbelief. But he quickly put on an obedient facade. "Alright, I understand."

"If you don’t like that term, I can use something else…"

Xiao Jinshi moved closer. The tall alpha almost enveloped Song Yuqing in his embrace, gazing at him eagerly like an eager puppy.

Song Yuqing pressed a finger against Xiao Jinshi’s shoulder, stopping him from getting any closer.

His lifted, clear eyes were filled with annoyance.

After everything that had happened today, he still had to deal with Xiao Jinshi’s presence.

"It’s not the term I dislike—it’s you."

Song Yuqing’s voice was cold, each word cutting and decisive.

Xiao Jinshi stared at him in shock, but once again, he lost himself in the powerful impact of Song Yuqing’s face.

He adored Song Yuqing’s aloof, icy demeanor—especially after he had just applied medicine to himself. His amber eyes seemed sprinkled with sugar, glistening with a grainy sparkle.

The faint redness at the corners of his eyes was both seductive and fragile.

He didn’t even bother to look up, treating Xiao Jinshi with complete indifference—and that excited him.

He loved how Song Yuqing was cold to everyone, but that didn’t mean he wanted to hear such words directed at himself.

Song Yuqing could remain lofty and unapproachable, but he should be unapproachable to others—not to him.

Only when Song Yuqing and he reciprocated each other's feelings could they achieve the ultimate union of soul and body. He loved Song Yuqing’s flawless physique and beautiful face. Song Yuqing’s unique soul should belong to him, too.

But now, Song Yuqing said he disliked him.

How dare Song Yuqing dislike him?

Song Yuqing was just a beta from the slums who had stumbled into Victor Academy. He should be grateful for any kindness shown to him.

"Stay away from me."

After saying this, Song Yuqing withdrew his hand. It took a long time for Xiao Jinshi to slowly reach out and touch the spot on his shoulder where Song Yuqing’s finger had pressed.

The anger he should have felt was gradually replaced by a tingling sensation there.

*Brother, brother, brother—why wouldn't you agree? Why couldn’t he be his?*

*Was it because that scoundrel Tan Shu made Song Yuqing dislike being touched? Or was it because that wretch Qi Ran had stolen Song Yuqing’s attention?*

*But before, Song Yuqing would personally release his restraints, watching him reach climax.*

*His first orgasm had been brought about by Song Yuqing.*

*Why would I hate him? Did Brother discover something? Did he know he was the one from that day?*

Outside, the heavy rain continued to pour. Song Yuqing unfurled an umbrella and stepped into the rain.

The raindrops tapped rhythmically against the canopy, the sound of rain falling steadily.

Song Yuqing’s fair, slender, elegantly jointed hand gripped the black umbrella handle, the dark color making his hand look even more like a work of art.

Song Yuqing arrived at the laboratory. The previously half-tidied lab had been neatly organized by someone.

It had almost returned to its state before the fight, with every detail meticulously restored.

"Master!"

"Master!"

"Master!"

Song Yuqing gently ruffled one robot’s head. "Mm."

As they chanted "Master" from Numbers One, Two, and Three, Song Yuqing opened Three’s screen to check the surveillance recordings it had saved.

The footage showed Pei Huai entering the lab, furious, ordering the robots to turn around and not watch him clean, while he diligently tidied up the lab himself.

The robots turned around, but each one was sneaky, secretly recording while Pei Huai was too busy cleaning to pay attention to them.

Number Three even wrote a log — *Rabid mutt, suggest Master keep away!*

"Master, we did great, right?"

Number Three was bursting with pride. Their loyalty was to Song Yuqing alone; they wouldn’t truly listen to anyone else. They had to record everything that jerk did.

They couldn’t let that bad guy hurt Qingqing.

Song Yuqing’s mouth quirked up. "Mm, super awesome."

"Master, hugs?"

"Come here, then. Hug." Song Yuqing let out a soft laugh, his mood improving a little because of the three little robots.

Song Yuqing reached out his hand, and the three little robots nuzzled into his palm together.

Guai Guai 88 also scurried into the little metal shell Song Yuqing had made for him and took the opportunity to snuggle up, carefully observing Song Yuqing’s expression as he did so, terrified Song Yuqing might reject him.

Song Yuqing found it amusing and casually patted 88’s head. "You little goof, try to be more helpful next time."

Song Yuqing’s voice was crisp, and when it carried a faint smile, it always made listeners’ ears buzz pleasantly.

88 wriggled excitedly. *Qingqing.*

Not being able to help Song Yuqing today made 88 feel guilty. Now that Song Yuqing wasn’t blaming him, 88’s whole circuitry was thinking about how to help Song Yuqing in the future.

"Mm! Next time I’ll help you hide things, and also..." 88 dug around and pulled out a book. "Learn this, fighting, long-range attacks. Next time, take them down."

Even if he would be punished next time, he would still help Qingqing.

88 moved closer to Qingqing to watch the video of Pei Huai cleaning together.

In the video, Pei Huai hauled out the damaged equipment and brought new ones in.

88 was puzzled. "Didn’t he say he wouldn’t be a dog? Why is he sneaking around like a dog here?"

Song Yuqing closed the surveillance footage and spoke calmly. "Ignore him. He has his own reasons."

When people do things they previously didn’t want to do, they need a way to rationalize it.

Pei Huai needed it too.

With the lab cleaned up, Song Yuqing wasn’t sticking around any longer. He left the little robots there to patrol and went to the campus infirmary.

At the campus infirmary,

Pei Luo had only dumped Qi Ran there and took off immediately.

He didn’t even care if Qi Ran was alive or dead.

He wasn’t some saint who loved the whole world; he only loved Song Yuqing, only wanted Song Yuqing to acknowledge him.

Qi Ran was already awake. Outside, the rain was heavy. The alpha was alone in the hospital hooked up to an IV. Song Yuqing was probably disappointed in him this time. If it weren’t for him, Song Yuqing wouldn’t have been caught.

Qi Ran still remembered Song Yuqing leading him outside before he blacked out again, and he also remembered the way Song Yuqing’s grip suddenly slipped.

Song Yuqing never let go of him until he got him out. Clearly, Song Yuqing could’ve abandoned him.

He could have left him like before — once they’d had their fun tormenting him, they would let him go.

But Song Yuqing had arranged everything for him, dragging him out of hell time and time again, only to end up collapsing himself.

When Song Yuqing entered the hospital room, he carried the chill dampness from the rain.

"You doing okay?" Song Yuqing glanced at Qi Ran.

Hearing the familiar voice, Qi Ran was slightly stunned. He looked up and met Song Yuqing’s gaze. Song Yuqing was still willing to come see him.

"Y-yeah, I’m better." The alpha’s voice was somewhat hoarse.

Seeing Song Yuqing walk in, Qi Ran quickly picked up an apple from nearby, focusing on peeling it, avoiding eye contact.

Song Yuqing: "Mm."

"Tell me, what happened today?" Song Yuqing sat down and asked Qi Ran.

Qi Ran’s hand holding the knife trembled slightly. His eyes, hidden beneath his long hair, flickered uneasily. "I offended Tan Shu, and he wasn’t happy..."

Song Yuqing looked at this problem child, tilted his chin up, and forced him to look up, making the shifty-eyed Qi Ran meet his gaze.

His tone carried a faint lecturing tone. "Tell the truth. Don’t lie."

Song Yuqing’s eyes were very beautiful, a natural amber color, gentle and clear. Qi Ran used to secretly look into Song Yuqing’s eyes often.

But now he didn’t dare meet Song Yuqing’s gaze.

How could he tell Song Yuqing that he was caught by Tan Shu because of Song Yuqing?

"Speak," Song Yuqing said again.

He couldn’t refuse Song Yuqing, nor could he disobey Song Yuqing’s words.

Qi Ran took a deep breath before speaking. "He had photos of you. He said if I didn’t go with him, he’d hand that evidence over to Qi Zhengqing, and Qi Zhengqing would kill you."

Song Yuqing: "..."

Great—one set of photos targeting both father and son. Sometimes he truly felt Tan Shu hated him too much.

But now, it was fine. Tan Shu could hate him all he wanted.

Song Yuqing let go of his hand, yet the medicinal scent from his fingertips still lingered near Qi Ran's nose.

Song Yuqing had gotten injured again.

Because of him.

Qi Ran's heart felt as if drenched by the rain outside, heavy and almost unable to beat.

It was all his fault.

Song Yuqing looked at this unlucky kid and could only think that Qi Ran was too naive, too easily deceived.

But he couldn't blame Qi Ran; after all, Qi Ran was trying to protect him.

"Then did you know that he not only caught you but also sent the photos to Qi Zhengqing?"

Qi Ran grew anxious, lifting his eyes to look at Song Yuqing. "What did Qi Zhengqing say? Did he... You should tell him it has nothing to do with you, it's me—"

"No need. But I don’t want today’s events to happen again."

After going over what happened today, Song Yuqing’s mood improved slightly.

"Let me say it again: your safety is the greatest help to me."

"Next time, don’t listen to others."

Qi Ran’s throat felt dry. He had caused trouble for Song Yuqing.

"You only need to listen to me, okay?"

*Only listen to Song Yuqing.*

A shadow of gloom flickered in Qi Ran’s eyes. "Mm, I’ll listen to you. I’ll be good."

Song Yuqing: "Mm, that's good."

"I like people who listen."

Usefulness isn’t the most important thing—if you're not obedient, nothing else matters.

In the hospital room, Song Yuqing and Qi Ran were talking, didn't notice Pei Huai outside the door.

Or perhaps Qi Ran noticed but didn’t alert Song Yuqing. Instead, he leaned in closer to Song Yuqing and said, "My head hurts a little, Xiao Dad. Could you feel my forehead and see if I have a fever?"

Song Yuqing reached out to feel Qi Ran’s forehead. The Alpha’s forehead was still warm. "Probably just the medication still working through your system. Rest a bit longer, and you’ll feel better."

"Xiao Dad, here." Qi Ran handed the peeled apple to Song Yuqing.

It was an apple cut into the shape of a cat, looking like a delicate work of art—very cute.

At that moment, Qi Ran no longer paid attention to the uninvited guest outside the door, instead eagerly hoping Song Yuqing would like it.

Song Yuqing was a picky eater and barely ate real food, relying on nutrient supplements for his meals. But the one food he’d ever expressed interest in was apples.

Seeing the cat-shaped apple, Song Yuqing hesitated for a moment before accepting it. "Mm."

Qi Ran looked at him expectantly. "Do you like it?"

Song Yuqing gazed at the apple as if remembering something. His usually cool and distant expression softened with a hint of tenderness. "I like it."

*I like it.*

These words clearly reached Pei Huai’s ears outside the door.

*What’s so great about a stupid apple? Xiao Dad?*

*That bitch was deliberately provoking him.*

Pei Huai stared at Song Yuqing’s slender, beautiful back, his eyes reddening. He could peel apples too.

Song Yuqing’s back was slender and graceful, the shoulder blades slightly prominent. The small, moon-like scent gland on his long, fair neck was soft and pink.

It was a back that haunted his nights.

But now Song Yuqing was being called "Xiao Dad" by someone else and saying "I like it" to another.

In an instant, the Alpha’s heart was overwhelmed by a mix of bitterness and confusion, overshadowing his hatred for Qi Ran’s deliberate provocation.

The Alpha turned and left.

But Qi Ran was distracted. The way Song Yuqing said "I like it" made Qi Ran's breath catch—that gentle side of Song Yuqing.

Yet that gentleness was meant for some Alpha, Beta, or Omega who could peel apples.

Qi Ran changed the subject. "By the way, what did Qi Zhengqing say about the photos?"

"If you want to know, you can check your own phone."

Song Yuqing handed his phone to Qi Ran. Reading Qi Zhengqing’s messages, Qi Ran felt a sharp pang, especially knowing Song Yuqing had seen them too.

He didn’t have time to think about Song Yuqing’s past.

Clutching the phone, he said, "Song Yuqing, I—"

Song Yuqing lifted his eyelids and glanced at the nervous Qi Ran, comforting him gently. "I know you didn’t mean to be a homewrecker."

"I believe you."

Song Yuqing didn’t suspect him, but it also proved that Song Yuqing had never considered a relationship between them. Qi Ran’s heart sank slowly.

It wasn’t that he hadn't thought about it.

He was afraid… Song Yuqing would dislike him.

"I’m leaving. Rest well." With things settled, Song Yuqing prepared to leave.

Under the eaves of the school hospital, just as Song Yuqing reached for his umbrella, a large, warm Alpha hand stopped him. The black umbrella canopy snapped open.

Amid the pattering rain, the sound of the umbrella opening echoed.

The canopy covered Song Yuqing from above. The Alpha’s voice was a little tight, with a hint of nerves. "I'll do it."